Twelve homes were totally destroyed by tornadoes that ripped through Pike County on Christmas Day and 40 others received major to substantial damage.

Jane Thrash, director of the South Central Alabama (Pike County) Branch of the American Red Cross provided those figures at the close of Red Cross intake centers in Goshen and Troy Thursday afternoon.

The American Red Cross opened intake centers at Goshen Town Hall and the Pike County Fire and Rescue Building on Orion Street Thursday to assist Christmas Day tornado victims with their immediate needs.

The centers opened 10 cases in Goshen and five in Troy during the day and Thrash said that EMA and Red Cross determined that 12 homes were totally destroyed by the tornadoes on Tuesday night.

“Twenty-four homes received major damage and 12 homes received what I would call ‘substantial’ damage,” Thrash said. “There are four homes in the Tennille community that received heavy damage and we are continuing to monitor the situation out there.

“In addition, there are between 15 and 20 homes that have minor damage such as windows blown out and trees down.”

Thrash said Red Cross is providing emergency credit cards to the tornado victims for the purchase of immediate needs such as food and clothing.

“Three families that are now homeless have been placed temporarily in local motels,” she said. “Six people make up the three families. A Goshen area couple was injured when a tornado hit their mobile home. They are recovering from their injuries and their situation is being monitored by several agencies.

“Power is still out in several places in Goshen, Shellhorn and the River Ridge areas but should be restored soon.”

The Pike County Salvation Army Service Center is providing snacks and drinks to those who are working the affected areas. Thrash expressed appreciation to Kim May, director of the local Salvation Army, for partnering with the Red Cross during emergency situations.

“I would like to thank all of those who are working to restore power to the affected areas and to assist the victims of the tornadoes,” Thrash said. “I have applied to get the Red Cross emergency response vehicle here with cleanup supplies and yard tools. When it arrives, that will be a great help.”

Thrash said Pike County now has a disaster relief number, DR 077-13 Alabama 1212 Tornadoes.

“This number is verification that national headquarters is backing up what we are doing here,” she said.

The Red Cross intake centers in Goshen and Troy will be open from 2 until 4 p.m. today to further assist tornado victims.

The VOAD (Volunteer Organization Active in Disasters) will meet today to work toward long-term response and recovery for the Pike County victims of the Christmas Day tornadoes.